Phil Foden’s brace helped Manchester City demolish Ipswich 6-0 and secure a return to the top four in the Premier League. It was a result that highlighted both City’s resurgence and Ipswich’s struggles, as they found themselves on the receiving end of a ruthless performance from the quadruple champions. Despite the heavy defeat, Ipswich’s supporters remained loyal, understanding that their team has spent enough time away from the Premier League to appreciate moments like these, even if they come with a harsh reality check.
This result added to Ipswich’s ongoing woes against Manchester City, having now conceded 10 unanswered goals in just 173 minutes of football against them. While their earlier meeting at the Etihad in August had seen Ipswich take a surprise lead, here, they were thoroughly outclassed. Their defensive frailties were exposed time and again, and their inability to contain City’s attacking prowess contributed to what was one of their worst performances of the season.
For Manchester City, the win was a significant boost, propelling them back into the top four after a month-long unbeaten run. With 20 goals scored in just 19 days of January, they are beginning to rediscover their form, even though there are still concerns over their defensive vulnerabilities. The performance was also a reminder of how important their star players are when firing on all cylinders.
Kevin De Bruyne, despite a slow start, grew into the game and showed glimpses of his best form, while Erling Haaland, despite missing an early one-on-one, found the net to celebrate his new decade-long contract. However, it was Foden who stole the show. His energy and creativity were evident throughout, as he scored the opening goal, assisted Mateo Kovacic for the second, and then added a third himself. Foden’s form has been a welcome sight for City, especially after a turbulent period in the autumn when they struggled without his influence.
The attacking play was relentless, with Jérémy Doku adding a fourth goal and Haaland getting in on the act with a fifth. James McAtee rounded off the scoring with a well-taken header, marking his first Premier League goal. For Ipswich, the defeat was compounded by a lack of composure and organization. They had shown resilience in their midweek clash against Brighton, but here, their legs seemed to give way, and their heads followed soon after. Simple errors in possession allowed City to dominate, and by the second half, the team was visibly frustrated, with players arguing on the pitch.
City’s strategy of exploiting Ipswich’s right flank proved effective, as Ben Johnson struggled to contain Doku, and new signing Ben Godfrey was caught off guard. All four of City’s goals in the first half came from that side, with Foden’s opener from a deflected De Bruyne cross, followed by an assist from Foden to Kovacic, and two more goals from Foden and De Bruyne. The game was effectively over by the time Doku added the fourth, and the visitors were able to cruise to victory.
Despite the heavy defeat, Ipswich’s spirit remains intact. They are still in the fight, even though their immediate future in the Premier League looks uncertain. With a difficult trip to Anfield next weekend, they will need to quickly regroup, but their journey to this point has already exceeded expectations. Manchester City, on the other hand, will be looking to build on this performance as they prepare for tougher tests ahead, including a crucial Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain.
